Every year around this time, I find myself in the same predicament: furiously scrambling to get my holiday shopping – and all the prepping that comes with it – done and I know I'm not alone.

I'm just not one of those highly efficient folks who finish their Christmas shopping months in advance. A: It's hard to think about Christmas, say, in the summer and B: I don't want to think about Christmas before Halloween, or before Thanksgiving, period.

Now, it's the final few days until Christmas yet again – the malls will be packed.

Fret not, my friends – if you are reading this without a single name on your gift list checked off yet, I have some hopefully handy last-minute shopping and prep ideas for you.

You may endure crowds, but you can't beat the selection of an obvious shopping epicenter such as the Irvine Spectrum Center.

IRVINE SPECTRUM

Don't be a parking vulture and spend precious minutes circling the lot and structures. Head all the way over to the Target side and easily find a parking spot without the fuss. A little walking never hurt anybody.

Target also happens to be located within a prime corner of the center, ripe with quick gifts: find cute baby and toddler apparel at Carter's, Naartjie or The Children's Place.

That corner also happens to be the perfect holiday party primp zone. Ladies, if you have a festive party to head to right after work, you're in luck. A brand new Happy Nails salon just opened to get your hands and toes perfectly manicured and where you can pamper yourself for a respite from holiday mania.

Then zip over to My Blow L.A. to get your hair perfectly coiffed with a blow-out for just $35.

You might even still have time to dash over to Cucina Enoteca for a bottle of wine for the party hostess or to keep as part of a small stockpile of "back-up" gifts.

You ever receive an unexpected present from someone you didn't have a gift for at all? A little embarrassing, right? You should always have a few "back-up" gifts for such an occasion. Enter 41 Olive, which sells gift baskets stuffed with bottles of infused olive oils, aromatic salts, balsamic vinegars and artisan dried pastas – prices start at $25 and they're perfect for the budding cook or food-lover.

Or pop over to Nordstrom to grab a pair or two of knit "tech" gloves – they're smartphone compatible and enables the wearer to text away while your digits remain nice and toasty.

And of course, you'll wind up back at Target on your way out, a solid standby for last-minute stocking stuffers, cards, wrapping paper, etc.

WOODBURY TOWN CENTER

Speaking of holiday prepping, need to pick up treats for a dinner? Swing by Casey's Cupcakes at Woodbury Town Center for cupcakes as big as softballs from Casey Reinhardt, winner of The Food Network's "Cupcake Wars."

Woodbury Town Center might also be the perfect place to shop for that fitness-conscious person in your life. Scoop up functional accessories for cycling addicts at Rock N Road Cyclery.

The specialty store sells a variety of warm-weather gear perfect for the recent chilly temps, from gloves, arm warmers and wool socks to the latest Garmin gadgets to track cycling distances.

For the workout fanatic, grab gift certificates from House of Pilates or personal trainer packages at Elite Fitness.

WOODBURY VILLAGE CENTER

Need to shop for some wee little ones? Jitterbugs Toys at Woodbury Village Center has an array of fun and even educational toys for children of all ages. There are "Disgusting Science Kits" where kids can grow "friendly" germs or a "Perfumery" aka chemistry lab set to create your own fragrance. Hot-sellers include the "Supershapes Dump Truck" for tots and Calico Critters, a collection of adorable miniature animal playsets. The "Phlat" ball is another cool pick, a contraption that's thrown flat as a Frisbee and is caught as a ball. Boys also seem to love the "Turbospoke," a bicycle exhaust system that makes their bike sound like a tough motorcycle.

MARKET PLACE

The Market Place in Tustin/Irvine is home to Orange County's only REI, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts – find everything from cold-weather hiking apparel to running shoes and camping gear. Stock up on piles of GU gel or a new Camel-pak for that crazy ultrarunner friend of yours or put together a fun survival kit full of first-aid supplies and handy devices (portable toilet, anyone?) for that someone constantly going on adventurous trips.

At Total Wine & More, find even more great "back-up" ideas, from wine gadgets such as aerators to electronic openers, Riedel drinkware and fun beer-brewing kits.

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